Vroom vroom in new Vivobarefoot running shoes. - Couch to 5K

Couch to 5K

132,333 members158,511 posts

Vroom vroom in new Vivobarefoot running shoes.

Oldgirl profile image
OldgirlGraduate
12 Replies

Do I like my new shoes!?! I'm just like a cat with a tub of fresh cream, yummmmm.

These shoes are great, this morning was my first real run in them, I did a zumba class and have walked several times too. But this morning was dry, no wind and really quite warm, 7C almost summer weather!

I kept the run short just 4K and clocked a time of 29:08 so not fast but will improve as time goes by. The shoes are brilliant, have walked in them barefoot but I found the need to wear socks as I have such little feet and they were slipping forward and little toe getting rubbed (don't want blisters) so on went my old faithfull MoreMile socks. Smashing combination, really pleased. Would I recommend them, yes I would, I think I'm converted. I still love my ASICS but think these are better. Never thought I would say that. :)

Happy running everyone, the sun has come out now too, looks like it'll be a nice day up her in the NE Scotland.

connect.garmin.com/activity...

Written by
Oldgirl profile image
Oldgirl
Graduate
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
12 Replies
greenlegs profile image
greenlegsGraduate

Just looked at the website vivobarefoot.com/uk/

Yes, it is advertising a particular brand of shoe, but VERY interesting video about shoes, feet and running on that page. (And about children's shoes.) Having read 'Born to Run' and 'Chi Running' and an online book by Gordon Pirie (marathon runner), it convinces me. There's also a video about how to run to avoid leg/joint problems.

Glad you're so happy with them. I am sorely tempted.

PinkNinja profile image
PinkNinja

Glad you are getting on well with your new shoes :D

I wear the New Balance WT10 shoes for work as my hips only seem to be comfortable standing for long periods when I am barefoot. I have just had a look at your shoes and the website and found that they do "normal" shoes too! And they have a great feature where you can enter the shoes you are currently wearing and it will tell you how the shoe will fit in comparison! That is so cool! I love my WT10's but they don't look so good with a skirt even though they are soooo comfortable. I may have to invest in a pair of the Vivo Mary Jane's for school :)

Great run, by the way :D

Carolyn x

shelleymcb profile image
shelleymcbGraduate

I had visions of your shoes having 5 individual toes & when you mentioned socks I thought you might have been into claires accessories to find some funky toe socks :) but I had a look at the site & see that they look like ordinary trainers.

do you feel everything underfoot like when barefoot? Id be put off by feeling stones & pavement cracks but you sound like you are really enjoying your new shoes. but then, hey, doesnt everyone love new shoes :)

off to watch the video on running now as that looks really interesting. x

Oldgirl profile image
OldgirlGraduate in reply to shelleymcb

Hi Shelley, can't say that I was more aware of stones etc, I tended to run with a lighter stride in them, if that makes sense. The only time I was perhaps aware of the flatter less support was when crossing traffic lights were there are what I call bubble wrap bump guides for sightless people. I felt them on the way home and have 3 sets of lights and a roundabout which all have these concrete molded bumps. I confess though that I chose my route today knowing it has pretty good pavements to run on.

I'm really looking forward to stepping up the pace and distance now I have been on my first run. Hoping by May to be back doing the odd 10K's. Now there a new goal for me to aim at. Also need to tackle Jacobs Ladder again this summer, darm hill beat me last year, its not going to happen again this year though!!!

swanscot profile image
swanscotGraduate in reply to shelleymcb

That's the Vibram FiveFingers shoes which have individual toes. (And other brands too). These have been around for a few years and caused a wee stir in the hiking community when they first came on the market. I did a quick search just now to check they were still manufactured, I see a lawsuit has been filed against Vibram FiveFingers for false claims in their advertising regarding the health and fitness benefits of the footwear.

dailymail.co.uk/news/articl...

SBG356 profile image
SBG356Graduate

I thought exactly the same as Shelley!! :D They look fab though; glad you are enjoying them! Sue

Oldgirl profile image
OldgirlGraduate in reply to SBG356

Haha will have to check out Claire's Accessories the next time I'm in the city centre the kids socks would be perfect for my little size 3.5 feet. :) Like the sound of individual toe socks, one of the girls who does Pilates wears them.

swanscot profile image
swanscotGraduate

I really like the idea of running in minimalist shoes (or even actual bare feet where safe), but am a wee bit reluctant (scared) to change just now, when I'm still gently 'nursing' my leg back to running distances again.

From an evolutionary biology point of view they make sense to me. I'm maybe give them a go when I know 100% over my injury.

When I asked the sports physio about bare-foot/minimalist shoes she was unconvinced about them. She says we are very different to our ancestors who managed to run in no footwear. and also from the likes of the sandal-clad porters who easily run up and down steep mountain tracks carrying huge rucksacks for us when on trekking holidays.

However, I don't see how we can be so different to these people, We spent our childhood playing outside in 'minimalist shoes': at school it was plimsolls for PE, plastic sandals in the garden and wellies on the farm. It's only in the last few years that we've been sold heavily engineered specialist shoes for every sport.

Oldgirl profile image
OldgirlGraduate in reply to swanscot

I would liken the shoes I have to school gym shoes (plimsolls) They are very lightweight and your whole foot lies flatter. If you are still nursing an injury I would leave it for a while but it wouldn't hurt to try them and walk in them for a while to get used to the flatter foot and mid foot placement getting away from the heel strike. Everyone is different but not running with a heel strike first has made the transission easier for me I think. I just can't wait to get out there for another run.

bearpadi profile image
bearpadiGraduate

I have had Vivobarefoot shoes for running for a few months now. For running I have the Neo and love them - my legs ache much much less when I run in them and I run much lighter. I now have a pair of their boxer boots that are the comfiest everyday shoe I have ever owned. The thing i like most is that i am so aware of the ground and how my foot is landing on it that without any effort i am easily changing the way I walk to the benefit of my whole body. They look fab too!

Oldgirl profile image
OldgirlGraduate

Wohoo, calf muscles knew they had been worked this morning when i got up. Gritted my teeth and ran up and the stairs 4 times to loosen them off. Then went to aerobics class which has sorted them out. :-)

greenlegs profile image
greenlegsGraduate

I've just come back to this thread again, and found so much more! I am definitely investigating further!

You may also like...

New Running Shoes Arrived Today 🤗

new Brooks running shoes, which arrived in the post today. Testing them on Monday morning and...

New running shoes

kindly treated me to proper running shoes. So I trotted if to the local running shop and they...

RUNNING SHOES 🏃🏻‍♀️🏃🏻‍♀️

lovely new RUNNING shoes 😁😁 Gait analysis at Moti in Cardiff. Really helpful advisor - would...

Vivobarefoot running shoes, daft question, do I wear socks with them?

Vivobarefoot running shoes, there's not much to them I have to say. They are a far cry from my...

The Running Shoe Shop Experience

new running shoes tomorrow! (And just for the sake of information, you have to take your shoes and...